Rabat and Nouakchott — Raja Casablanca maintained their lead in the Moroccan football premier league after beating hosts Difaa El Jadida 4-1 on Sunday (January 6th) at Abedi Stadium in El Jadida.

The Green Eagles controlled the first half of the Day 15 match and scored three goals through Hamza Bourezzouk ('11), Vivien Mabide ('37) and Yassine Salhi ('41.) With the start of second half, the hosts tried to pressure, but managed to score only one goal through Zakaria Hedraf ('58) before Raja's Ismael Kouchame scored the fourth goal for his team at the end of the match.

In another match, Wydad Casablanca beat guests Moghreb Tétouan 2-0 and climbed to second place with 30 points. WAC's Congolese player Lys Mouithys scored the first goal in the 23rd minute and his Ivorian teammate Boblay Anderson added the second in the 68th minute.

Meanwhile, FUS Rabat beat their guests Wydad Fès 4-0. Mohamed Chihani scored the first goal in the 45th minute while his teammate Abdessalam Benjelloun scored two goals in the 70th minute and at the end of the match. Brahim Bahri scored another goal in the 81st minute.

Meanwhile in Day 8 action of Mauritania's football league, ACS Ksar kept their lead by beating ASC Imraguens 2-0 on Friday in an away match in Nouadhibou. The day was also notable for the first home win of the season for ASC Kedia.

In front of a sizeable crowd at the Stade Municipal in Nouadhibou, Ksar gained the upper hand over their opponents with an opening goal in the 17th minute scored by Mohamed Diop with sterling support from young Bessam. The score remained 1-0 until the players headed for the changing rooms at half-time.

Despite a strong comeback by Imraguens in the second half, Ksar managed to score a second goal in the 78th minute following a counterattack. The win consolidated their lead with a total of 20 points.

Imraguens, who are stuck with nine points, have vowed to make changes over the next few days.

"Big changes will be made over the coming days, because throwing in the towel and losing at home is not acceptable," said club chairman Salloum Fall, who added that "the players must put in an appropriate amount of hard work."

In other games, ASAC Concorde were held to a 1-1 draw by ASC Assaba on Friday at the Stade Olympique in Nouakchott. It was the first time that Concorde's forwards had failed to score more than two goals in a game. The draw left them at 17 points, three points behind the leaders. Assaba have eight points and remain in the middle of the pack.

FC Nouadhibou, who were up against Zem Zem, did not falter and won 2-0. The win helped the Oranges to climb up the table, where they now have 17 points and are level with ASAC Concorde. Zem Zem are still struggling at the bottom of the table and have only five points.

Meanwhile last place ASC Kedia secured their first victory of the season against guests CF Cansado. The Zouerate team beat the miners 2-1.

"It's very good for everyone's morale, but it's not enough. The team must keep working," said Aly Ould El Mamy, the club's general manager, who added that new players have joined the club and breathed new life into the team.

In another match, ASC Tidjikja notched up another win by beating ASC Trarza 1-0. With a total of 11 points, they are now rubbing shoulders with the leaders. ASC Trarza still find themselves mid-table with nine points.

Reigning champions FC T. Zeina have still not regained the momentum they had last season. They were held to a barren draw by ASC Police, leaving them with 10 points. Police are left with seven.

Finally, ASC Garde and ASC Armée drew 0-0 in the battle of the uniformed teams. ASC Garde have 10 points and ASC Armée are on 5 points.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui in Rabat and Mohamed Foily in Nouakchott for Magharebia - 07/01/13

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